The north of Hamburg offers lots of family-friendly neighbourhoods. People move here to offer their children a safe and sound upbringing without having to worry about a thing. All over these parts of the city, plenty of playgrounds can be found, where your children can roam freely and explore at their hearts' content, while grown-ups can meet and exchange valuable parenting tips.
Whether you wish to revisit your old stomping grounds or just plan on taking your kids to a new playground every once in a while, here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the city’s most unique and beloved play areas.
Alt-Steilshoop - Appelhoffweiher pond
It doesn’t always take a trip to the countryside to feel like a farmer. Residents of Alt-Steilshoop quarter simply spend some time by the Appelhoffweiher pond. The playground there is modelled after an apple farm, the likes of which could once be found in the area aplenty, as the name ‘Appelhoff’ stills suggests. The playground is equipped with plenty of wooden structures, and kids can explore tractors, barns and a farm shop, as well as swingsets, slides, trampolines, a ropeway and an area for ball games. See this link for more information.
Groß Borstel - Borsteler Chaussee
The almost small town-like neighbourhood of Groß Borstel is centred around Borsteler Chaussee. Young families spend their time on the playground in the park between Wigandweg and Beerboomstücken. Kids can enjoy the ropeway, swings and slides as well as a fooball court. And the best part: the Kugellager ice-cream parlour is only a few step away.
Hummelsbüttel - Josthöhe
Residents of Hummelsbüttel quarter may already know this little jungle village tucked away between residential areas and parks, while outsiders mostly stumble upon this secret location by accident. The wooden castles with their playful decorations ensure that youngsters will want to return again and again. See this link for more information (German only).
Langenhorn - Essenerstraße
Since 2011 northern Langenhorn has one more attraction for kids and teens. The action and sport playground between Essener Straße and the Tarpenbek river is designed for older children that feel the urge to really get active in this 3000 square-metre area. Fans of ball games as well as skaters will also find plenty of great activity opportunities.
Steilshoop - Bramfelder See
This playground by the Bramfeld lake in the neighbourhood of Steilshoop has one major perk that is not to be overlooked: your kids are never too far away. Climbing frames, swings, sandboxes, caroussels and slides all stand close to each other. A fireplace offers the possibility to have a BBQ there, too.
Volksdorf - Schemmannstraße
Certainly one of Hamburg’s prettiest playgrounds, this spot in the northern neighbourhood of Volksdorf was widely renovated in 2008, making it one of the largest playgrounds in the city. The 14,400 square-metre area is comfortably located by the Berner Au stream. Among its highlights are a castle and playground mainstays like swings, slides and a ropeway. The designers even paid attention to making some of the equipment accessible to all. Older kids can play football, basketball and volleyball on the adjacent courts and fields. A wooden gazebo is perfect for hosting birthdays and grilling parties. See this link for more information (German only).
Winterhude - Stadtpark
For the 100th anniversary of the Stadtpark, the vast playground and its adjacent paddling pool were fully renovated. In fact, both facilities have been there from the start, which makes for some fond childhood memories that span generations. The 2014 renovations made sure that generations to come can also experience this privilege.
A wide variety of facilities are available around the massive pool for kids of all ages. A ship-shaped climbing rock, a tunnel slide and many swing sets are just some of the many attractions. A kiosk, public restrooms and lots of space on the lawn make this a perfect experience for kids and parents alike. See this link for more information (German only).
